Flowering crab apple tree

ABSTRACT

1. A new and distinct variety of flowering Malus crab apple tree, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by an upright, semi-dwarf growth habit, an arching and weeping effect of the branches, attractive pinkish colored flowers and abundant bright dark red colored fruits that may hang all winter, and which has apparent resistance to diseases which are common to most Malus species.

The present invention relates to the new and distinct variety of crabapple tree, which was discovered by me as a newly found seedling on mycultivated property, at Perry, Ohio. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a novel variety of Malus, flowering crab apple,having unusual and distinctive characteristics, now available as the"Weeping Candied Apple" Trademark tree of Lake County Nursery Exchange,Inc. Perry, Ohio.

My new flowering crab apple tree has a "weeping" form with most of thebranches extending generally parallel to the ground, and then gentlydescending toward their ends on a slight arcuate angle toward theground. The tree may be characterized as a semi-dwarf tree showing muchvigor in its early years of growth. In the invention, a mature treeforming a flattened canopy may have an estimated mature height ofapproximately 12 feet.

The definite parentage of my new crab apple seedling is unknown, but thetexture of the leaf is thicker and firmer than the Hopa. The leaf coloris dark green with an overcast of a darker wine color (as compared tothe Hopa) on the top side, and with the under side being green with anovercast of silver. The trunk and branches of the trees are smooth andof light purplish to dark burgundy color toward the stems.

The blossoms are of a fairly large size of a dark pink color which coverthe stems in profusion. The flowering is especially good as the flowersappear before the stems are covered by the leaves.

The fruit is of a bright, dark red, having an approximate 3/8 inchtransverse diameter. The fruit is much smaller and holds longer and isfirmer and brighter, as compared to the Hopa. The fruit color is heldlate into the season with the firm fruit still on the tree in December.Unlike most crab apple trees, the fruit does not drop when mature, butdries on the tree and becomes forage food for winter birds, for example.

The crab apple tree of the present invention exhibits vigorous and hardyhabits of growth, particularly in the early years. This varietyevidences resistance to insects and diseases which are common to mostMalus species, including applescab, blight, and mildew.

The accompanying drawings show typical specimens of the flowers,foliage, branches and fruit of my new crab apple variety as depicted incolor as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in aphotographic illustration of this character.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows my new flower crab apple tree in the spring bloomingseason;

FIG. 2 shows a branchlet of such tree bearing a number of open flowers;and

FIG. 3 shows a branchlet of such tree illustrating the fruit and leavesthereof.

Asexual reproduction of my new flowering crab apple variety wasperformed by me by budding at Perry, Ohio, Zone 5. Such reproductionillustrates the foregoing characteristics and distinctions take placeand are established and transmitted through succeeding propogations ofthe tree. The following is a specific description by way of specificexample of such new variety, color terminology being in reference to theMunsell Book of Color 1950, hereinafter referred to as "Munsell".

From observations made in respect to specimens grown at Perry, Ohio:Fruit will hang all winter.

Tree: Maturity to a height about 12 feet; vigorous, upright, but havingan arching and "weeping" effect; rapid growing, particularly in earlyyears; and productive and regular bearer.

Leaves: Medium size about 3 inches long and about 13/4 inches wide;having ovate shape and being substantially smooth.

Color: Green (Munsell 7.5 GY 3/4).

Flowers: Medium size; date of first bloom being about May 1; date offull bloom being about 3 to 5 days later; color being reddish pink(Munsell 10 RP 9/1), changing to deep whitish pink (Munsell 10 RP 7/8).

Fruit: Having generally uniform transverse diameter of about 3/8 inchesbeing of a generally oblong-ovoid shape; color being bright dark red(Munsell SR 5/14).

i claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of flowering Malus crab apple tree, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by an upright, semi-dwarf growth habit, an arching and weeping effect of the branches, attractive pinkish colored flowers and abundant bright dark red colored fruits that may hang all winter, and which has apparent resistance to diseases which are common to most Malus species. 